Farm and baking industry groups in Canada, Australia and the United States, who account for 45 percent of world wheat exports, called for commercialization of genetically engineered wheat. Wheat is the source of 20 percent of the calories consumed daily around the world. In a statement, the 16 groups said, “In addition to protecting the continued availability of wheat foods, wheat enhanced through biotechnology ultimately offers the promise of improved products, more sustainable production and environmental benefits.”
While biotech corn and soybean varieties are grown widely, wheat has been viewed for years as a more delicate matter. It is consumed directly by people while corn and soybeans are used as livestock feed or ingredients in processed foods. Genetically engineered wheat is not approved for sale in the United States. A little over a year ago, the wheat market was shaken by discovery of biotech wheat growing in a fallow field in Oregon.
Early this year, Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company, said it was making good progress on biotech wheat but a launch was several years away, according to Reuters. Labeling of genetically engineered crops is an increasingly heated issue in America.